My lunar birthday falls on the same day as Lord Guan's!

That's awesome! I wonder if you have other things in common with him, as well - personality traits, perhaps?

Here is a nifty little tool one can use to convert their Western birth date into its lunar calendar equivalent - perhaps some of the others who have posted in this thread can see if they share birthdays with anybody interesting (I'm more than willing to check for any corresponding dates).

http://www.prokerala.com/general/calendar/...r-converter.php

My birthday is the 27th day of the 3rd lunar month, which corresponds to the birthday of Judge Dong, the Judge of the Seventh Court of Hell.

Hi! Just to inform you that I am an Indonesian Chinese, originally from Batam Island, off the coast of Singapore. I am now studying in Malaysia. After reading your thread I found that a lot of my "traditional religion" (officially called Agama Konghucu or Confucianism here) is very closely related to what your thread is about. At home I was taught to pray to Kuan-Im and Thee Gong since I was a kid and still continuing very closely. Your thread provides a very broad knowledge for me, as my experiences for such deities you worship are limited to my temple trips.

I am not so familiar with Lord Guan as my family doesn't worship him, the only thing I know about him is that we share the same lunar birthday.

Hi Tommy,

Understood, my friend. No matter; Guan Yin is a good matron to have, and Ti Gong worship is fundamental to the faith. People have different affinities with different deities, and what's important is cultivating a close relationship with those you have a feel for.

Chinese folk religion draws on some Confucian teachings, and includes Confucius as an individual to be revered (see picture below, in which he is depicted with literary deities Kui Xing at left and Wen Chang at right), although calling it 'Confucianism' would be misleading, really.

Glad to hear that our religious heritage is alive and flourishing in Indonesia. Please feel free to ask any questions related to the subject matter.

Nacht

You see the thing is, the constitution in Indonesia requires everyone to have a religion no matter what. Thus, in the past, we would consider ourself Buddhist, but then the government officiated Chinese folk religion, with the name Agama Kong Hu Cu, thus why it's called confucianism here.

I remember my mom bringing me to pay Confucius before exams, and had a "孔子先生" stamped on my hand. lol.

Ah well. A rose by any other name, eh?

Tonight marks the beginning of the Hungry Ghost Festival, everyone. The Gates of Hell open at eleven p.m.; stay safe, have fun and spare a thought for the unfortunate spirits as most of them enjoy what will be their only time of reprieve from the trials and tribulations of the Netherworld.

Can share with 'the uninitiated /ill-informed (like myself) a list of major do's and don'ts for hungry ghost festival? Thanks in advance

Not disturbing the offerings set out for the spirits is by far the most important thing to be mindful of - don't get between a starving dog and its meat.

One should also refrain from asking the spirits for anything; they are in no position to grant requests, nor are they allowed to do so.

Pity them, yes, but by NO means trust them.

They are in Hell for a reason.

I would also advise individuals with delicate constitutions (the very young and the elderly, for instance) to avoid areas where spirits are likely to congregate - burial grounds, for instance.

Don't believe all that stuff about refraining from wearing certain colours or types of clothing, abstaining from sexual activity, avoiding leaving laundry out to dry and so on.

Most of it is hogwash.

Last, but certainly not least, put your trust in the Hell deities, especially the King of Ghosts, to maintain spiritual law and order.

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3675672
Related post on Ghost Month

There isn't very much serious discussion going on in that thread, is there?

The gates are now open. Tonight, all the monsters are gonna dance.

Does anyone need any information regarding offerings to their own ancestors ?

securing their offerings not to go into the common pool?

When you are making offerings to your ancestors, loved ones or someone specific, inclusion of an address slip (see picture below) with the offerings before you burn them is customary.

Fill in the recipient's details, but not the sender's, as doing so may expose your identity to eavesdroppers.

It also helps to burn specifically-addressed offerings in an area separate from where public offerings are being burnt.

Ancestral offerings may be burned within the grounds of your home, but never do this for public offerings; doing so would be like inviting strangers into your house for a free-for-all, and there is no telling if some of these strangers might outstay their welcome or otherwise harm you.

Nothing serious apart from the first post. It's /k after all

小法團

Look at what I found...from the Garuda Purana. The Hindus also have the Cow Head and Horse Face. Probably that's where the Buddhists got it since Buddhism is closely related to Hinduism.



This post has been edited by yeeck: Aug 18 2015, 11:11 PM

Leaving my mark here for easier access. Keep on posting.

Quite interesting topic here

Don't just leave your mark, my friend; feel free to actively participate by asking whatever burning questions are on your mind about the subject matter.

I want this thread to be interactive.

Let me share something , on the 8th day of the lunar 7th month !

Like Bro Natch always say , everyone irregardless of religion , race , nationality likewise goes to the same hell as everyone else does

The Buddhist/Hindu concept of Hell is different from those of the monotheistic religions as it seems the Buddhist/Hindu concept of Hell is not permanent/eternal.